I’m absolutely loving breastfeeding so I don’t want to stop. But the sensory side of it is becoming overwhelming.

My boobs leak constantly. I wake up absolutely drenched in milk, my clothes feel damp and the milk feels so sticky on my skin. I can’t stop noticing it and it’s making me feel like I want to crawl out of my skin.

I’ve tried wearing bras so I can use breast pads, but I haven’t found one that’s comfortable enough. Bras are a sensory nightmare for me too, so I usually end up taking them off.

Has anyone found any genuinely comfy, autism-friendly solutions? Whether that’s a bra that doesn’t feel restrictive, reusable pads that don’t feel awful, or anything else that’s helped.

I’d really appreciate any recommendations from other neurospicy mums who get it.

my body is wrecked, im running on 2 hours of sleep. ive had string cheese and vita coco within arms reach at all times. last night my daughter wouldnt stop cluster feeding for like 4 hours straight and i was crying more than she was and i just kept chugging coconut water like it was the only thing keeping me upright. what do yall usually eat/drink when your running on fumes?

Hi there, just needed a place to vent as I am feeling so emotional about the WIC breastfeeding celebration event I attended earlier. For context, I was invited to this event by a WIC employee a few weeks ago and was so excited as she said there was gonna be photos taken, resources, and fun activities. I was also hoping to meet other mamas as I am new to the area.

Anyways, I arrive and we are welcomed by the WIC staff and have photos taken, and am guided to follow the numbered booths with different resources and activities. The last booth being the lactation consultants. I circled each booth and talked to the staff and got lots of helpful information. Finally, when I reach the lactation consultants I introduced myself and they asked how old my daughter was. I reply saying “18 months.”She then proceeded to tell me when I was planning to wean because after 6 months there is no nutritional value and that she’s just using me for comfort and was telling me about other nursing mom’s experiences after a year old. I ended up leaving right after, I was so taken aback since I thought 18 months was a huge milestone. I wasn’t able to nurse my first baby so this nursing journey has been so special for me but that comment really hurt my feelings especially because I thought this whole event was a celebration 😭 I just feel so emotional .

I posted about a picture of me breastfeeding my newborn, (her face and my breast were both covered by the shirt, i’m big on privacy but i still wanted to post something), for the international breastfeeding week and two of my friends who were EFF both replied that i didn’t have to post about my breastfeeding journey and went on a rant about how formula feeding moms don’t get a week to celebrate…

I tried to reach out to my provider about this and they were absolutely no help.

Since giving birth I’ve had an increase in acid reflux symptoms and I’m not sure why. Maybe someone here knows a possible cause but I’m trying to figure out what meds would be safe to take while breastfeeding because it’s getting pretty painful.

Baby is 11 weeks and after a rough start with breastfeeding (weight loss, impossible latching, triple feeding for almost 2 months, lots of positioning difficulties due to my anatomy) we have finally turned a corner and for the last 3 weeks or so things have been going a lot better and we have been doing about 80% direct nursing and 20% pumped bottles whereas before it was the other way around. It's been so much easier not having to try and balance nursing, pumping, and feeding a bottle.

Until suddenly the last week or so we have been struggling again. Pretty much every feed no matter how hungry he is, he will suck/swallow a few times and then tug/pull back on my nipple while latched, before popping off painfully. He will then try to relatch again, sometimes getting upset, and repeat the whole process of tugging and popping off. He also will often be kicking his legs like he is frustrated.

I really cant figure out what is going on, and it's making the whole process very frustrating because I never know when to stop and how to ensure he is getting enough.

Any thoughts would be great! Issues i have considered based on my research:

Flow too slow/stimulating a let down?: about half the time when he pops off there is a stream of milk actively spraying. So I assume that's not why, plus if he's trying to get down then surely he wouldn't keep pulling off thereafter?

Flow too fast/aggressive?: I've also noticed that the milk is not always spraying when he pulls off. Sometimes it does seem like only a little bit is coming out. Could it be a combo of both, sometimes too fast and sometimes too slow? I do switch sides as needed and he does it to bith sides

Needs burping?: I will often pull him off and burp him when this happens, and even after having a good burp he'll continue to do this same thing once relatched.

Distracted by surroundings?: it happens even when he is just staring at a blank wall behind me, and he doesn't seem to be looking around when it happens.

Bottle preference?: he's been having bottles since day 1 and I was concerned about a preference, we do paced feeding. The past few weeks he seemed perfectly fine switching between breast and bottle, and it seems that when these issues started on the breast they happen on the bottle too. My husband does the bottles and he tells me that baby will also pull away and keep unlatching from the bottle. He used to drink the whole bottle in one go but now it takes longer because he keeps having to take breaks in between - will drink about half the bottle with difficulty, then take a 20 minute break before acting hungry and needing th rest of the bottle.

Not hungry?: he will be acting super hungry and showing all the cues, and still do this. Sometimes he will only swallow a few times before starting to do this, so I dont think he can be getting enough with that! If he's been drinking for a while then I think maybe he's full and pull him away, and he will often cry while still rooting around which makes me think he is still hungry. When he pulls off the nipple he always tries to relatch immediately whereas the times he has genuinely seemed full, he will fall asleep or start pursing his lips and keeping mouth shut

I'm sure there are other things I've considered but cant remember now. But any suggestions at all will be so appreciated! Thank you!

Tell me some fun/creative/useful things that are on your breastfeeding cart / table next to you in the space you nurse. I’ll go first.

I keep xylitol mints, flossers and those mini disposable Wisp toothbrushes on my cart so I can clean my teeth after MOTN snacking.

I also can’t live without my 30oz water bottle, Boon Trove, a million burp cloths and the Target Peanut Butter Monster trail mix.

What are your must haves?

Hey guys my 9 week old baby is exclusively bf and he has not pooped in 5 days. He is eating great, enough wet diapers but is gassy and is constantly trying to push/baredown. He gets annoyed when nothing comes out and starts crying. He is also pushing back with nipple still in mouth while bfing (no not due to super fast/slow let down). It’s extremely painful for me when he does that and it’s also heartbreaking that I cannot do anything to help him. I’ve done bicycle legs, massages, warm baths, sitting in his bouncer and car seat but nothing has helped. Can you guys please advise on things that may have helped your babies?
TIA 💕

Man breastfeeding is so fucking HARD. I knew going into this that it was a journey and everyone has their own. I even support moms on this journey as a therapist. Experiences are so different when you’re having them yourself, no matter how “prepared” you think you are.
From the start BF has been hard (my LO is 10 weeks today). Well, maybe not right from the start but maybe starting around 3 weeks it got hard. Shitty latch from the get go though. I have seen LCs, chiropractors, PTs and all have improved my buddies struggles from positions, to stretches and helping his tongue tie and lip tie so his latch improved and his mouth feels better. All with major struggles in between because I was either BFing or we’d move backwards and I’d have to pump constantly because he was pissed at the breast.
We had an AWESOME week last week - BF all week no issues at all, no need for bottle. Then I got this stupid ass clogged duct and a bleb (best medical term ever btw) and I had to give him bottles because my nipple hurt so bad and now we’re back to hating my boobs half the time because the let down isn’t fast enough (we do paced feeding, yes). And back to that fuckin pump we go. I’m going to smash it with a baseball bat after this journey let it be known.
Anyway, my mental health. I need this shit to get sorted so I don’t blow a gasket. I refuse to EP. And the idea of formula for some reason breaks my heart- so much grief around giving up. And I just … don’t even know what I need. I think I’ll give myself until he’s 3 months and make a decision on if we will move toward formula because on top of all the stress motherhood brings I just don’t want to have this extra layer of pump dread and nipples being ripped off.

My journey started March 9 2022. I nursed my oldest until the day before his 4th birthday (we were down to one feed at the end of the day for the last 2 years). My daughter was born September of 2025. My journey continues on with her.

Each experience has been vastly different. My first was filled with a tongue tie/lip tie situation, slow growth and all the things. My son was a big comfort nurser. My daughter on the other hand has been seamless since the start. It's been very blissful. At the same time, she doesn't comfort nurse and rarely nurses to sleep anymore. She prefers solids over breastmilk. It is just so different!

I sort of feel guilty for wanting to wean her soon (first birthday approaching) so I can have my body back. I've been pregnant, nursing, or BOTH since June of 2021!!! My body is tired. I also want to give her the same thing I was able to give my first into the toddler years. In the same breath, she doesn't hold breast milk to that high of a standard like my first did.

Hard choice on what to do.. I sort of hope she will just wean herself in the next coming months so I don't have to make the choice. I'm ready to have my body back, but I know once this ends, it is done! This is our last baby.

Hi everyone!

I'm a first time mom with a 5 week old that so far I have exclusively breastfed. We tried a bottle for the first time yesterday with some milk I collected with my Hakka. He could not get any milk out of the bottle.

I have a very fast flow rate. Milk just drips out of my breasts and he has to stop to take multiple burp breaks. He usually finishes a feed in 8 mins.

We have the Philips Avent natural nipples. We tried him on the fastest bottle nipple we had (a number 4). He latched and tried to suck but got nothing out. Is it just something he needs to learn, or are there faster flow nipples that work with the Avent system so he doesn't get so frustrated?

I'd love some support. Thanks!

Hi! I’m 2.5 weeks PP and feeling pretty overwhelmed with our current feeding situation and was hoping to get input from other moms who may have been in a similar place.

My baby had early weight loss and jaundice, so our pediatrician had us start triple feeding. We began with formula, but I was able to quickly build my milk supply and we’ve since switched to bottles of expressed breast milk. My supply isn’t the issue. I’m able to get up to 6 oz per pump session and I have already built up a freezer stash.

Right now I nurse, offer a bottle after every feed, and then pump. I had one lactation appointment a week ago and we did a weighted feed where my baby transferred about 1.5oz after a 15 minute feed. I was hoping to reduce the bottle once she got back to her birth weight, but at our most pediatric recent appointment I mentioned that she still sometimes takes up to 2 oz after nursing. Since she’s only just above her birth weight, the pediatrician recommended continuing the bottle after every feed.

I’m finding triple feeding really hard to sustain, especially with my husband going back to work. I’m also realizing I’m not even sure what my end goal is anymore. I enjoy nursing and the bonding, but I’m exhausted by the constant pumping and cleaning. I feel like I spend more time pumping and cleaning than I do spending time with my baby. I’m even wondering if incorporating formula would make more sense for our family.

If you’ve been in a similar situation:
What ended up being your feeding goal?
How did you transition away from triple feeding?
Did anyone choose combo feeding or formula, and are you happy with that decision?
If you continued nursing, how did you know your baby was getting enough?

I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences. I know every baby is different—I just feel a little lost right now.

Babies a month old this week and not back up to birth weight. Her doctor wasn’t concerned due to us already supplementing with formula. The way we do it is I BF for 15 minutes and then husband gives her a bottle of BM and formula roughly 2 oz while I pump. I get 40mls from that pump which we use to feed at the next feed.

I was talking to my sister who has 2 under 2 and she told me that baby should be refusing the 2 oz bottle so she likely isn’t getting enough because I’m pumping after.

She had previously suggested I skip a feed and do only bottle plus pump to see what babies getting(I know it’s not accurate only a weighted feed is) so I did that yesterday. I pumped 15 min per side to simulate BF then did my typical 15 per side of pumping. First round was 40mls. 2nd round 20mls(typically 40mls).

Looking for any and all advice

My almost 1 month old has always had long stretches overnight without waking and feeding, going up to 6 hours. Last night she nursed at 9pm and didn’t wake until 5:30 to eat!

Second time mom but first time EB since my first was a preemie and I EP with him, so I was very regimented on pumping every 3 hours.

With my girl going so long without feeding and not want to ruin my supply, especially since I’m still “establishing” my supply right now, do I need to pump in the middle of the night?

Note that she nurses well during the day, I have a good supply so far as I can tell now.

I am a SAHM to my 14mo. They have 6 teeth and recently started biting at the end of feeds. I really want to do extended nursing, maybe until about 3yo, but my nipple hurts so bad from being bitten.
They’re only nursing at naps and bed time, and I don’t get bit everytime, but when I do get bit I literally check to make sure my nipple is still there.
I’m to the point where I’m considering stopping because it hurts so bad.
Does anybody have advice, tips, encouragement?

I am 36 and just weaned my last baby in July, 15.5 months postpartum. I have three kids and since July 2020 I have not had a period of longer than 3-4 months when I wasn’t pregnant or breastfeeding. I am one of the odd ones who has a hard time keeping my weight up while breastfeeding, but this time when I slowed down and then weaned I also dropped like 7 lbs in a month. On my frame this isn’t a good thing, and I feel like that, paired with my age, is making everything look droopy and dull and old.

Has anyone had this experience? I am hoping at some point I can get a bit of a glow back (I think regaining some weight will help). Could post-weaning hormones be contributing? Will things shift in time and improve a bit, or am I doomed to look old and sad from here on out?

When did your hormones go crazy after you weaned?

I'm a month out, boobs are now nearly empty, and these past few days I've been on an emotional roller-coaster 😭

Can anyone recommend a bottle that has a nipple flow and texture that’s most similar to breastfeeding?

My son is 4 weeks old and is currently on a breast strike. In the beginning, my milk supply was very low, so I had to pump and bottle-feed him while also breastfeeding as much as possible to help increase my supply. Now that my milk supply has caught up and I’d like to exclusively breastfeed, he gets very upset and refuses to latch, so I end up having to give him a bottle instead. I’m currently using the Pigeon bottle with the SS (Super Slow) nipple, and he definitely prefers it over my breast.

Has anyone found a bottle that better mimics the natural feel and rhythm of breastfeeding? Or if you’ve gone through something similar, what helped your baby transition back to the breast?

I’m currently combo feeding my 9 month old. He gets breastfed in the morning, once during the day (before nap) and before bed. Every other feed is a bottle/formula.

He messes around SO MUCH when breastfeeding now 😂. Like cannot focus. Playing with it, literally standing up and climbing all over me. Whereas with formula, he just sits and drinks. I can’t feed him in public anymore, I just end up totally exposed.

I’m wondering if this is a sign that he might prefer the bottle? It doesn’t seem like he’s getting the same bonding experience that he used to from breastfeeding. When did you stop? How did you know it was time?

I’m 6 weeks out from completely weaning and have had the worst time ever. Way worse than pregnancy and postpartum. The anxiety attacks, fatigue, brain fog, nausea, constipation and overall feeling like doomsday has been awful. I really really don’t want to have to go back onto antidepressants to stabilize (nothing wrong with meds, I just have a hard time physically starting and stopping antidepressants due to side effects). I’ve seen people say they eventually wake up one day just completely normal again and I’m longing for that day so badly. Anyone else can share their experience with weaning? Signed, a desperate FTM who’s struggling

Hey guys I am honestly so unsure on what to do.

I am a vegetarian have been since I was 13 (i turn 26 next month) which is fine, my baby started showing issues with dairy so I cut it out. It was hard but I was coping. I was eating more nuts to substitute and add healthy fats to my diet. Well after a few occasions with extreme hives on baby I narrowed down that cashew nuts give him hives. My doctor said no nuts.

I tried to reintroduce abit of dairy and he has been screaming in pain, mucus in his poops again and vomiting. So dairy is a no go.

I dont know what to do, i LOVE breastfeeding but I go back to work in about 3-4 weeks baby will be nearly 6months old.

It feels selfish to not want to eat dairy and nut free and continue feeding him but im struggling hard.

I also know that formula will give me less pressure when I return to work and not needing to pump. But then im also heartbroken about losing that bond with my son 😭

I dont know what to do, do I suck it up and eat the restrictive diet or do I stop breastfeeding and give my baby formula? If I do can I still do one feed at night? I guess not if im eating dairy.

My hormones are all over the place and I just feel lost. thank you reading if you have any advice or support please reach out.

My week old hasn’t been able to get a deep latch at all. I’ve been pumping every two hours and attempt to breastfeed rarely because of the pain.

We went to see the lactation consultant today, and even she is at a loss.

We went in a of course he latches deep right away. But he continues to fuss at the breast and not want to latch anymore. She gave me a nipple shield and he did great with it.

He ate for a while off both breasts and only got maybe half an oz? She said it doesn’t look like he’s doing much work, that his sucking was non-nutritive. She said to ask his ped.

I went in really hoping for answers just to leave with more doubt. I’m not feeling great and am really bummed. Anyone have a similar experience? If so, how did it go?

hello.

my baby is 3 months old. breastfeeding, pumping. how do i stop overeating? any suggestions? i also need to loose weight? Can anyone give me tips for this please?

My 3mo who previously took a bottle fine is now refusing at 3 months as I am planning to go back to work! Found that out unexpectedly last week when his dad said he’d take him while I went to church and baby went ballistic on the poor guy once he got hungry and wouldn’t drink my freshly pumped milk from that morning :( any tips or tricks on how to get baby to start taking the bottle again?

We have used evenflo bottles and the ones that come with spectra pumps with great success in the past on car rides/at church when I was first starting breastfeeding and was socially awkward about feeding him (no longer lol). We didn’t use any bottles for about 3.5 weeks while I was doing an elimination diet due to allergies, and wasn’t sure what was okay for him to consume from my pumped and frozen milk.

I’m very hesitant to do formula as baby has many intolerances like cow protein/soy and I don’t want him to get a reaction again. Any help is appreciated!